X-Ray Vision for Buildings

1. A method for generating a skeletal view of an existing building in view of a computing device having a camera, the skeletal view being a representation of hidden structural components and visible structural components of the existing building, the method comprising: receiving, via a processor, location information associated with the computing device, the location information identifying a physical location of the computing device; receiving spatial orientation information for the computing device, the spatial orientation information identifying a physical orientation of the computing device; determining a field of view for the computing device using the location information and the spatial orientation information, the field of view including a three-dimensional (3D) location of the computing device and a direction of view from the camera of the computing device; receiving three-dimensional (3D) model information representing construction details of the existing building, the existing building being at a location proximate to the computing device, and the 3D model information including the hidden structural components and the visible structural components; comparing the field of view with the 3D model information; identifying a hidden structural component based on the comparison between the field of view and the 3D model information, the hidden structural component being hidden within at least one of a wall, a ceiling or a floor of the existing building; preparing a composite representation including a visible structural component and the hidden structural component; and displaying the composite representation on the computing device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving an indication from a user identifying the hidden structural component included in the composite representation and displaying additional information about the hidden structural component, including one or more of the following: component dimensions, a part number for the component, and a manufacturer of the component.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the location information associated with the computing device comprises GPS coordinates or a scanned code affixed to the existing building.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the location information associated with the computing device comprises image data relating to a visual marker captured by the camera of the computing device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the location information associated with the computing device comprises information about signals from WiFi access points received at the computing device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the spatial orientation information comprises information from a gyroscope or a compass.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the computing device comprises a telephone.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the computing device comprises a tablet computer.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising, receiving a user selection of a type of hidden structural component, and preparing the composite representation to include the selected type of hidden structural component and exclude other non-selected types of hidden structural components.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the three-dimensional model comprises information collected by laser-scanning.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the information collected by laser-scanning is combined with a to be constructed model to form an as constructed model.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the visible structural component comprises a wall.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the hidden structural component comprises one or more of the following: electrical wiring, ductwork, plumbing, studs, MEP components and structural support hidden within at least one of a wall, a ceiling or a floor of the existing building.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a plurality of computer-readable instructions tangibly embodied on the computer-readable storage medium, which when executed by a data processor, provide a skeletal view of an existing building in view of a computing device having a camera, the skeletal view being a representation of hidden structural components and visible structural components of the existing building, the plurality of instructions comprising: instructions that cause the data processor to receive location information associated with the computing device, the location information identifying a physical location of the computing device; instructions that cause the data processor to receive spatial orientation information for the computing device, the spatial orientation information identifying a physical orientation of the computing device; instructions that cause the data processor to determine a field of view for the computing device, based on the location information and spatial orientation information, the field of view including a three-dimensional (3D) location of the computing device and a direction of view from the camera of the computing device; instructions that cause the data processor to receive three-dimensional (3D) model information representing construction details of the existing building, the existing building being at a location proximate to the computing device, and the 3D model information including the hidden structural components and the visible structural components; instructions that cause the data processor to compare the field of view with the 3D model information; instructions that cause the data processor to identify a hidden structural component based on the comparison between the field of view and the 3D model information, the hidden structural component being hidden within at least one of a wall, a ceiling or a floor of the existing building; instructions that cause the data processor to, generate a composite representation including visible structural components of the existing building and the hidden structural component; and instructions that cause the data processor to display the composite representation on the computing device.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 further comprising instructions that cause the data processor to receive an indication from a user identifying a hidden structural component included in the composite representation and displaying additional information about the hidden structural component, including one or more of the following: component dimensions, a part number for the component, and a manufacturer of the component.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein the location information associated with the computing device comprises information about signals from WiFi access points received at the computing device.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein the computing device comprises a tablet computer.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein the composite representation includes image data of the visible structural component captured by the camera, and computer-generated graphics representing the hidden structural component.

19. A system for generating a skeletal view of an existing building in view of a computing device having a camera, the skeletal view being a representation of hidden structural components and visible structural components of the existing building, the system comprising: a processor; and a memory disposed in communication with the processor and storing processor executable instructions, the instructions comprising instructions for: receiving location information associated with the computing device, the location information identifying a physical location of the computing device; receiving spatial orientation information for the computing device, the spatial orientation information identifying a physical orientation of the computing device; determining a field of view for the computing device using the location information and the spatial orientation information, the field of view including a three-dimensional (3D) location of the computing device and a direction of view from the camera of the computing device; receiving three-dimensional (3D) model information representing construction details of the existing building, the existing building being at a location proximate to the computing device; comparing the field of view with the 3D model information; identifying a hidden structural component based on the comparison between the field of view and the 3D model information, the hidden structural component being hidden within at least one of a wall, a ceiling or a floor of the existing building; preparing a composite representation including a visible structural component and the hidden structural component; and displaying the composite representation on a display of the system.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for receiving an indication from a user identifying the hidden structural component included in the composite representation and displaying additional information about the hidden structural component, including one or more of the following: component dimensions, a part number for the component, and a manufacturer of the component.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the location information associated with the computing device comprises information about signals from WiFi access points received at the computing device.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein the computing device comprises a tablet computer.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein the 3D model information comprises a three-dimensional model of at least a part of the existing building.

24. The method of claim 1 , wherein comparing the field of view with the 3D model information comprises aligning the 3D model with the 3D location and the direction of view to identify the hidden structural component.